Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-09

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pulled his moustache.
"By Jove! You're in for it, laughed
Major La Coste. "Well, come anc
dine with US tonight, and will in.
troduce you to my wife, and you can
tell me all about it over our cigars
after dinner"
"What! You are living here, then ?''
eyes. We have q pretty little box.
Where are you staying? III stroll
down and take you back in triumph
it will be quite treat to hear all the
news of the old regiment"
"I'll come with pleasure I'm put
ting up at the little inn. What time
do you diner"
"Seven, and III fetch you at a
quarter to-" and with friendly nod
the Major jumped up once more into
his dog-cart.
"Can 1 take you anywhere,
Barkeley?'
"No, thanks, I'll continue my walk, 4"
and 80 the friends parted.
Major La Coste arrived with mill
tary punctuality, and there was a
strange smile upon his handsome
face and lurking in the depths OF his
fine gray eyes.
"Are you ready ?"he asked. "We
must not keep dinner waiting-your
cook is the last person in the world
whom you should offend"
They chatted briskly as they walked
up the lane.
"Here we are," said La Coste,
throwing open his gate; "pretty little
place, is it not? But perhaps you may
have seen it before, in your rambles." 2"
"You don't live here!" stammered
his visitor: "I thought didn't
think"
"Of course you didn't, old fellow
come in and see my wife,"
Without one word, Bertram Barke-
ley followed him. g
Mechanically he hung up his hat in
the hall, mechanically he went with
him into the room, of which he flung
open the door, with a strange feeling
as of a sleep walker about him. 1t
seemed to him he was having unpleas-
ant dreams, and that he was spell
bound by it; then he could see and
hear and feel, but that all power over
himself was denied him.
Geraldine, here is my friend Capt.
Barkeley -Barkeley, allow me to in
troduce you to my wife,"
"The eyes Of Major and Mrs. La
Coste danced with merriment.
81 think Capt. Barkeley and have
met BEFORE" said the lady, in a musi-
Cal voice, and the music and words Of
"Kathleen Aroon," sounded fresh in
the listeners ears.
"Why should we be parted?"
"Why, indeed!"
Lawrence, dear, Capt. Barkeley
was so very kind; he saved my poor
little Tiny from being hurt by such a
horrid savage dog. l am sure, like
myself, you are infinitely obliged to
him"
"Dinner? thanks, the passages are
too narrow for taking arms, we just
follow the leader; shall l 20 first, and
show the way? See, what lovely
centre-piece your equisite flowers
made! !" and she waived her delicate
whitesha toward the bouquet he
had left for her, which was en- the
middle of the well-appointed table
which was laden with beautiful bios.
SONS.
Lawrence, was it not kind of Capt
Barkeley to send me such lovely
exotics; and all in exchange for a
cluster OF common roses; don't you
think I had the best of the bargain p"
"Undoubtedly," he laughed, and
again their eyes met.
81 do hope l did not splash you
much with that horrid hose this after
noon, but how was to know any one
was sitting upon the wall? You see,
the lane is a private road, and no one
ever passes this way, SO couldn't
expect you, could II" and she looked
at him quizzically.
"Private ne faltered, 81 beg your
pardon; 1 didn't know"
"Of course not, but you would have
been very welcome, as Lawrence's g
friend, had l been aware of it, Pm
sure; and l must make Tiny respect
his protector. Lawrence has been
away a whole week in London, and
left me here alone Did he tell you p
"No," answered the captain. 81
don't think he did,"
He did no justice to the recherche
little dinner; all he wanted to do was
to escape. He knew that he had
made fool of himself, and was we'll
aware that Mrs. La Coste knew it,
too; AMI more, that she had told her
husband all about it.
"Well. now for you confession,
Barkeley," said the major, as he
lighted his cigar by that of his friends
and talked between the whiffs." What
is she like? Dark or fair, merry OF
pensive? Beautiful, of course, or she
never would have attracted you"
"There is no she in the case," as
serted the other, almost roughly, land
never will be. thought you wanted
to hear all about the old set; there
have been lot Of changes, even in
this short time"
"And 80 do; drive on, Barkeley.
I'm settled as good listener" and
he ensconced himself in an Indian
lounging chair, looking thoroughly at
home.
But the Captain never before was
SO vague and disjointed, and took his
leave as early as he possibly could.
That night he drew up a telegram
and desired it might be sent off at the
earliest hour the following morning.
1t was to his friend Falkner, begging
him to bring the yacht to fetch him
the same day. :.
He walking upon the seashore with
his small portmanteau beside him,
when the little craft hove in sight, and
they sent boat to the shore to bring
him on board.
"Well, old man, and how is the fair
inamorata ?" laughed his friend, look
ing at his clouded face.
"She is like all the rest. heartless
coquette," returned Barkeley, saw
agely.
Captain Falkner gave a long, low
whistle.
"Does the wind lay that way
Well, old fellow, l was once Tilted my
Al